Five years after Reign's transformation, the exile haven had become a city proper.
Three thousand wolves called it home. Trade routes connected it to every major territory. The triumvirate's leadership had proven stable, effective, and just enough different from Council rule to attract wolves tired of the old ways.
But success bred enemies.
"Another delegation requesting entry," Tarek reported during a council meeting. "Eastern refugees. Twenty wolves, mostly families."
"Background checks?" the Fire Prince asked.
"Clean. Standard exile stories. Wrong pack, wrong time, wrong Alpha." Tarek paused. "But the timing bothers me. That's the fourth group this month."
"We've always accepted refugees," Eirik pointed out.
"Not at this rate. Something's pushing wolves out of the eastern territo
